Cleaning After a Flood

See ISU Extension's Flood cleanup information  for specifics on cleaning homes after flooding.

Call ISU Extension's Families Answer Line

Dealing with Mold

Dealing with Mold Problems after a Flood
Information from the Minnesota Department of Health

Health Issues Surrounding Cleanup and Remediation of Mold
Information from Iowa Department of Public Health

Hiring a Mold Remediation Contractor
Four-page publication from Cornell University and Louisiana State University AgCenter

Dealing with Asbestos

Information from Iowa Department of Natural Resources

- Asbestos Information for People Returning to Damaged Properties

- Guidelines for Catastrophic Emergency Situations Involving Asbestos

- Asbestos Authorization for Storm and Flood Damaged Areas

- Asbestos No Action Assurance Letter from EPA

- DNR Staff Contacts for Asbestos

Information from the Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center

- Do It Yourself Asbestos Abatement

Heating Systems

10/2/2008 - Heat Your Home Safely after the Iowa Floods
(Health and safety risks of using unvented space heaters)

Rebuilding

Sealing Homes Checklist
How to close up a flood-damaged home for the winter so rebuilding can begin in the spring. Checklist developed by Tom Greiner, ISU Extension housing engineer, November 2008.

Rehabbing Flooded Houses – A Guide for Builders and Contractors (HUD, English and Spanish)
Includes guidance on safety, dry-out, clean-up, rehab and flood resistant restoration methods and materials.  Also lists additional references and resources.

Dry Wood Framing in Flooded Homes before Rebuilding
(ISU Extension news release, 7/9/2008)

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) offers this list of relevant resources, reports, guides, and ordinances to aid in the Midwest flooding recovery process.

Finding a Contractor

Iowa Workforce Development provides a searchable list of contractors who have been approved by county officials for disaster related work.

Insurance

Will insurance protect you from storm damage?

Basements

Reduce basement and yard flooding.

Assessing, repairing, and rebuilding basements: Proper drainage around your home (PM 1560 pdf file)

Assessing, repairing and rebuilding basements: Building basements in wet locations (PM 1561 pdf file)

Assessing, repairing, and rebuilding basements: Controlling moisture on concrete floors (PM 1562 pdf file)